Terrebonne Parish teachers say they're not appreciated

Published: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 11:14 p.m.

Some Terrebonne teachers say they are under-appreciated by the communities they serve.

A panel designed to determine the needs of the Terrebonne Parish school system heard passionate remarks from teachers Thursday.

After the first two meetings of the task force involved little public participation and an in-depth review of the school system's financial situation, the third meeting was relatively calm until teachers questioned the public's support.

The task force, a panel of 15 members, is charged with mapping out the needs of the school system and determining ways to finance them. The panel was formed in July after the School Board and Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce decided that was the best way to remedy some of the roadblocks the board hit when it tried to pass a 31-mill property tax and more than quadruple its current rate.

The proposal, which would have raised an estimated $25 million more a year for building improvements, pay raises and other items, failed in May by a 76 percent to 24 percent vote.

Beth Bajon, an English teacher at Ellender Memorial High School and 27-year teaching veteran, said morale was at an all-time low following the spring election.

Bajon said opponents of the millage spent time and money on billboards, message boards and social media campaigning against the schools and teachers. This left the teaching community feeling “vilified.”

“There was a sense among the teaching force that the community did not value us,” she said. “What was so difficult for teachers to accept was the negative attitude toward us.”

In the previous meetings, the panel has expressed concern over the inability to retain teachers. Bajon said the poor public perception has made teachers feel unwanted.

“When you realize that there are that many people that are openly hostile to you, it makes you really think about whether or not you should stay,” she said.

Harold Suire, president of Education, Research and Information Services in Baton Rouge and the panel's facilitator, said it was up to the school system to provide a better image for the teachers.

“Our schools and teachers are doing a good job,” he said.

Bajon and other teachers in attendance said if the panel wants to develop a clear solution, teacher input is a must.

Suire encouraged teachers to email him at tim@eriservices.com or other task force members about their concerns with the schools. Those concerns will be presented anonymously, but any teacher who is not willing to give a name should not comment, Suire said.

The input by the teachers in attendance reaffirmed why the panel was put together, said Jennifer Armand, who chairs the panel.

“It's just confirming what we all know, that these teachers teach for the love of the students and love of education, and I think that's what the passion demonstrated,” she said.

During the main portion of the meeting, the panel heard 45-minute presentations from Christa Lagarde, director of the Terrebonne Sales and Use Tax Department, and Terrebonne Tax Assessor Loney Grabert.

Lagarde's presentation focused on the history of the sales tax in the parish and how it has affected the School Board. Grabert explained what he and his department do and how much the parish and School Board receive in tax money each year.

Both presentations showed an increase in revenue in each of the last four years.

Armand said the information presented during the meeting will provide a good base for the panel as it begins to identify possible solutions.

Before turning to the audience for input, Suire recapped the panel's first three meetings by critiquing the school system's job of marketing itself.

Taking in major talking points from the previous meetings, Suire said the school system needs to be more specific on how it plans to spend money.

Suire reminded the panel that the schools don't have a public relations team, and it is part of the panel's job to help them compile information to present publicly.

Surie assigned the panel members some homework before their next meeting. Each member received an information packet that included the schools' presentation to the public about what it would do if the 31-mill plan had passed.

The panelists assignment is to come back with solutions stemming from that list.

“I don't want negative comments. I want solutions,” Suire said.

The panel will meet again at 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the North Terrebonne Library.

<p>Some Terrebonne teachers say they are under-appreciated by the communities they serve.</p><p>A panel designed to determine the needs of the Terrebonne Parish school system heard passionate remarks from teachers Thursday. </p><p>After the first two meetings of the task force involved little public participation and an in-depth review of the school system's financial situation, the third meeting was relatively calm until teachers questioned the public's support.</p><p>The task force, a panel of 15 members, is charged with mapping out the needs of the school system and determining ways to finance them. The panel was formed in July after the School Board and Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce decided that was the best way to remedy some of the roadblocks the board hit when it tried to pass a 31-mill property tax and more than quadruple its current rate.</p><p>The proposal, which would have raised an estimated $25 million more a year for building improvements, pay raises and other items, failed in May by a 76 percent to 24 percent vote.</p><p>Beth Bajon, an English teacher at Ellender Memorial High School and 27-year teaching veteran, said morale was at an all-time low following the spring election. </p><p>Bajon said opponents of the millage spent time and money on billboards, message boards and social media campaigning against the schools and teachers. This left the teaching community feeling “vilified.” </p><p>“There was a sense among the teaching force that the community did not value us,” she said. “What was so difficult for teachers to accept was the negative attitude toward us.” </p><p>In the previous meetings, the panel has expressed concern over the inability to retain teachers. Bajon said the poor public perception has made teachers feel unwanted.</p><p>“When you realize that there are that many people that are openly hostile to you, it makes you really think about whether or not you should stay,” she said.</p><p>Harold Suire, president of Education, Research and Information Services in Baton Rouge and the panel's facilitator, said it was up to the school system to provide a better image for the teachers. </p><p>“Our schools and teachers are doing a good job,” he said. </p><p>Bajon and other teachers in attendance said if the panel wants to develop a clear solution, teacher input is a must. </p><p>Suire encouraged teachers to email him at tim@eriservices.com or other task force members about their concerns with the schools. Those concerns will be presented anonymously, but any teacher who is not willing to give a name should not comment, Suire said.</p><p>The input by the teachers in attendance reaffirmed why the panel was put together, said Jennifer Armand, who chairs the panel.</p><p>“It's just confirming what we all know, that these teachers teach for the love of the students and love of education, and I think that's what the passion demonstrated,” she said. </p><p>During the main portion of the meeting, the panel heard 45-minute presentations from Christa Lagarde, director of the Terrebonne Sales and Use Tax Department, and Terrebonne Tax Assessor Loney Grabert.</p><p>Lagarde's presentation focused on the history of the sales tax in the parish and how it has affected the School Board. Grabert explained what he and his department do and how much the parish and School Board receive in tax money each year.</p><p>Both presentations showed an increase in revenue in each of the last four years. </p><p>Armand said the information presented during the meeting will provide a good base for the panel as it begins to identify possible solutions. </p><p>Before turning to the audience for input, Suire recapped the panel's first three meetings by critiquing the school system's job of marketing itself.</p><p>Taking in major talking points from the previous meetings, Suire said the school system needs to be more specific on how it plans to spend money. </p><p>Suire reminded the panel that the schools don't have a public relations team, and it is part of the panel's job to help them compile information to present publicly.</p><p>Surie assigned the panel members some homework before their next meeting. Each member received an information packet that included the schools' presentation to the public about what it would do if the 31-mill plan had passed.</p><p>The panelists assignment is to come back with solutions stemming from that list. </p><p>“I don't want negative comments. I want solutions,” Suire said. </p><p>The panel will meet again at 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the North Terrebonne Library.</p>